Last night I had a dream. Before I share it, let me back up a bit and set the scene. One of the nicest, no actually the BEST thing that has come out of this blog for me is to have been chosen by Brizo Faucets to attend Fashion Week in September 2010 as one of the "illustrious" members of the Blogger 19. This was followed by a trip to Toronto in January 2011, as a member of the Blanco Design Council, to attend IDS (International Design Show). I not only became acquainted with cutting edge state-of-the-art products but also with many talented folks in the blogging community.
Now Modenus, a go-to site for design dreamers as well as professionals, is sponsoring Blog Tour 2012. Veronika Miller, who I had the pleasure of sitting next to at the Jason Wu fashion show is the mastermind behind this venture. They are currently selecting the blogger line up for some new design adventures. All this must have been lurking in the outer recesses of my mind when I went to sleep. To sleep perchance to dream!Hubs and I arrive at a hotel and check in. We are down in the lobby where I discover that a great meeting is about to take place. It's an advance gathering of potential candidates for the 2012 Blogger World Tour! Lo and behold, in walks in the King of Kitchen Bloggers, Paul Anater along with Nick from Cupboards, who I've never actually met. We all fall into a big group hug and I am swept into the event. Wow. All "potentials" are handed a "blog critique" and mine is pretty complimentary, actually. Paul leads the group which now also includes Erin Lochner of Design for Mankind. As the meeting unfolds I begin to see how unprepared I am. Yikes! I'm dropping pens, struggling to keep up when it occurs to me that I need to take pictures and blog about this! I must go to the room and get my camera. (It never occurs to me to call Hubs and ask him to wait for me even though he's being really good and waiting for me on the sidelines.) I feel the big brass room key in my pocket. I pull it out and it says 27. (I dream a lot in numbers.) I locate a very helpful bell hop who helps me figure out what floor that's on. He consults a chart which tells us that 27 is actually 7151 which means I'm on the 7th floor. Now I can grab my camera and get back to the group. The bell hop senses my sense of urgency and puts me on the closet elevator which is for freight. Did I mention he's wearing a hairnet?Everyone knows dreams are meant to be exploited for shameless self-promotion. So there you have it, just a lil wish for the new year. If I don't get that I'll settle for health, prosperity and another great year for Kitchens for Living where my dream is to motivate, inspire or help you create your own DREAM KITCHEN. Happy new year!
ART LIVES WITH DESIGN AT IDS 11
Check it out! You will notice a new addition to my side bar. That's right. The folks over at Kitchen Improved (thank you) decided I deserved a Best of the Web Award!
We came close in the last post about ROLLOUT Custom Wallpaper but you didn't think I would finish my commentary on IDS 11 with out talking about ART, did you? Well the decidedly nice thing about this design show was the mix and variety of products both utilitarian and beautiful. Gorgeous paintings mingled with state of the art kitchens and avant garde fireplaces.
Can art and home decor live together without succumbing to the need to match the painting to the sofa? I really hope so and I believe if you embrace the art you love and show it proudly, no matter what, the answer is YES! Art is also one of the best, and easiest, ways to personalize your kitchen. If you have an open wall take advantage and hang some art. Just remember to keep away from the grease, flames and wet areas. (Believe me, I have to say that. You know who you are.)
One exhibitor that I fell in love with at the show was OPEN STUDIO.
Open Studio, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is Canada’s leading artist-run
printmaking centre featuring works by over 150 artists. It is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to producing, promoting and preserving contemporary original fine art prints. The center rents studio space and equipment to printmaking artists as well as offering guided tours of the facility. Original works produced and sold at Open Studio include etchings, lithographs, relief prints, screenprints and monoprints—and styles; from landscapes to abstracts.
Sales of these playing cards featuring the work of Open Studio artists are for sale ($20 or 2 for $35)
Proceeds go towards supporting the studio.
Open Studio was just one of many galleries and artists exhibiting at the show. Here are some of my other favorite bits of eye candy.
Less than one week to go!
Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details
DESIGN YOUR OWN WALLPAPER
ROLLOUT, the wallpaper!
As you may have heard, wallpaper is in vogue once again. I confess I am not naturally "wallpaper inclined" but what I saw recently in the intriguing Studio North & Prototype section at IDS11 in Toronto made me think again. After all, I am slavishly devoted to art and what better way to " art" than by utilizing the biggest canvas of all, your wall!
The innovative custom wallpaper manufacturer, ROLLOUT , featured eight designs, including new work by founder/designers Anita Modha and Jonathan Nodrick.
Not only was I impressed by their edgy designs but, get this, you can design your own wallpaper. It's pricey but that's so you keep your taste in check. Keep it to a focal wall such as in a powder room or dining room and you won't break the bank or run the risk of "too much of a good thing". This digitally printed eco-conscious wallpaper runs about $10 a square foot. Get your own art printed for about $8 per square foot plus set up charges. These premium, latex-based inkjet wallcoverings come in 36’’ wide rolls. Custom design projects are quoted upon request.
ROLLOUT was recently featured on Canadian lifestyle and design talk show Steven & Chris. Click here to see the show. The ROLLOUT section is at 12:30.
In addition to their presence at IDS 11, ROLLOUT was also asked to re-design a Vitra Panton chair that was auctioned off with the proceeds going to Casey House, the first free-standing HIV/AIDs hospice in Canada which offers support and care to those that are affected in their communities. 20 one-off chairs by some of Canada's leading designers and architects were auctioned off during the opening night of the event.
IDS11 is Canada's largest contemporary design fair that has served to inform and support the growing Canadian design industry for the past fourteen years. Thank you to Blanco for sending me to IDS 11!
ONE WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE DRAWING
Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details
IDS11 PIX ARE UP!
I did it. All pix are posted on a brand new Flickr site called Kitchens for Living on the Road. You can be the first to see the new trends and treats from IDS11 here.